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Album Of The Day | Love Train – The Gamble & Huff Songbook

Gamble And Huff wrote and produced some of the finest Soul music ever recorded and were primarily responsible for creating The Philly Sound. 'Love Train - The Gamble And Huff Songbook' compiles 24 of their songs including some lesser known tracks and unusual versions along with many of their classics. The Vibrations' 'Love In Them There Hills', Peaches & Herb's 'United', Freddie Scott's '(You) Got What I Need', Mary Wells' 'A Brand New Me', Archie Bell's 'I Can't Stop Dancing', Intruders' 'Cowboys To Girls', and Gladys Knight's 'Together' are the best of the 60's tracks on the comp. 'Joe Simon's...
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Album Of The Day | Durand Jones & The Indications – Flowers

Durand Jones and The Indications have established themselves as one of the premier retro Soul groups with a string of great albums over the past years, featuring the voices of Durand and Aaron Frazer, backed by a full band with horns and strings. 'Flowers' contains another ten tracks which whilst contemporary have a strong 70s or early 80s Soul vibe. 'Paradise' is a nice mid tempo stepper using a Sylvia Striplin groove. 'Lovers Holiday' is a nice upper mid tempo dancer, 'Flower Moon' a lovely mid tempo ditty. 'Really Wanna Be With You' is a good modern soul dancer. 'Been...
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Album Of The Day | Raquel Rodriguez – Sweet Side

Raquel Rodriguez has established herself  as one of the leading contemporary female Soul singers. The Los Angeles Latino Soul singer recorded 'Sweet Side' during lockdown but the CD has only just surfaced following her European tour. It features 14 dynamic tracks which have an early 80s feel, but are still totally contemporary. It heavily features partner Sam Brawner and Keyboard and bassist Nigel Hall and a host of good musicians. 'Sweet Side' is a nice upper mid tempo groover, 'Nobody Else' is slightly slower but has a heavier groove. 'I Know I Know' is written and produced by Amber Navran...
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Album Of The Day | Gina Sedman 1972 LP

Gina Sedman returns with one of her best albums '1972' reflecting her birth year. The title track is a real throwback to early 70's funky soul groove. 'Give Love' has nice vocal harmonies and a more laid back funky groove and features Kinsman Dazz Band members Michael J Calhoun on Guitar and Chris Cuda on horns and Ryan McCaffrey on keys, he also plays clavinet on the more uptempo 'In One Day'. 'Grateful For You' 'Just Another Day' and 'Like A Whisper' are nice tempo songs that really show off Gina's soulful voice. Felipe Avellaneda plays organ, keys and strings...
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Album Of The Day | Bobby Lyle – The Genie

Keyboard wizard Bobby Lyle’s Classic Jazz funk album from 1977, includes the brilliant inventive title track ‘The Genie’, an all time classic that goes through many changes but retains its groove throughout. His version of his own beautiful track ‘Night Breeze’ previously recorded by Ronnie Laws is another highlight. ‘Mother Nile’ is a mystical track with a deep rhythm structure, and ‘Pisces’ is a lovely dreamy mid tempo track. The more up tempo ‘Magic Ride’ and atmospheric ‘You Think Of Her’ feature Bobby’s deep vocals. Lyle is joined by a stellar cast of musicians including Roland Bautista on guitar, Babatunde...
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Album Of The Day | Omar – Brighter The Days

Omar has been making great Soul music for 35 years with his own distinctive style. His eighth studio album 'Brighter The Days' is his most sophisticated to date, 17 tracks with a positive optimistic message. 'This Thing Called Life' has a lush groove with strings and horns and is a real stand-out track. 'Can We Go Out', another standout, has a very infectious riff, typically Omar a great track. There are many duets and collaborations on the album. 'Holding On To Life' is a killer, gorgeous mid tempo groover featuring Ledisi singing at her sultry best. India Arie's smokey vocals...
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Album Of The Day | Zaimie – Black Velvet

Zaimie is the collaboration between Zaidi Kiggundu and Jamie McShane who illustrate their love of Soul, Funk and Jazz on their second album 'Black Velvet' . It comprises of eleven tracks which have a strong Brit Funk influence and can be likened to Splash label mates Incognito's sound especially on the  brassy Jazz Funk instrumentals 'Weekend Breeze' , 'Black Velvet' and 'Feel The Rush'. Suzy Duffy adds vocals to the mid tempo groovers 'Can't Do Without' , 'New Life' and  beat ballad 'I Need You' which adds another more soulful dimension to the album. Strong contemporary Jazz-Funk and Soul album....
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Album Of The Day | Chocolate Milk – Action Speaks Louder Than Words

Chocolate Milk recorded their classic debut album 'Action Speaks Louder Than Words' in New Orleans in 1975. It is produced by legendary New Orleans  producers Allen Toussaint and Marshall Sehorn. The album is best known for their funky hit 'Action Speaks Louder Than Words' one of the most recognisable funky tracks of its time which has compulsive groove . The rare groove 'Time Machine' is more laid back with a lazy jazzy groove and a killer track, that was overlooked at the time now rightly recognised as a classic. 'My Mind Is Hazy' , 'Pretty Pimpin Willie ' , 'Confusion'...
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Album Of The Day | Tanika Charles – Reasons To Stay

Tanika Charles returns with her fourth full album and possibly best to date ‘Reasons To Stay’. Kelly Finnigan adds his touch of magic by mixing the album which is more sophisticated than her previous albums. ‘Reasons To Stay’ is a lovely mid tempo beat ballad that has all the hallmarks of classic late 60s/early 70s Soul. ‘How Long Will It Take’ the sightly faster ‘Here When You’re Ready’ and the mystical ‘Talk To Me Nice’ are also mid tempo soul highlights.’Don’t Like You Anymore’, the uptempo ‘No More’ and funkier ‘Having A Time’ are good retro Soul tracks, whilst ‘Win’ featuring...
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Album Of The Day | Sault – Acts Of Faith

Sault have rightly built a large underground following over the past few years, with numerous quality albums produced by Inflo. 'Acts Of Faith' is one of their best, featuring the soulful vocals of Cleo Sol over some great feel-good grooves and great harmony backing vocals. 'Set Your Spirit Free', 'Look For You', 'Heal', 'Someone To Love You', and 'Signs' are all uplifting tracks with a spiritual message. 'Soul Clean' has a funkier edge to it and the down tempo cut 'Pray For Me' and mid tempo 'The Lesson Is Over' are also very strong, on this excellent album. Click on...